Metal-capped traffic surface adapter

ABSTRACT

A metal-capped device in the form of a traffic surface adapter is disclosed, the device being arranged to be positioned on a localised area of a (pedestrian or vehicular) traffic surface  31  for the purpose of adapting (i.e., modifying) the characteristics of the surface. The device in one of its possible forms comprises a tactile marker having a plastics material first portion  20  incorporating a head  21  that is arranged in use to sit on the traffic surface. A depending projection  22  is formed integrally with the head and is arranged in use to locate within a recess  30  in the traffic surface and so retain the device in situ. Two or more spaced-apart apertures  26  are formed in the head, and a metal cap  27  is provided to overfit the head. The metal cap has depending tabs  37  that are shaped and positioned to project through the apertures  26  in the head and to be folded under the head to hold the metal cap captive to the head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a metal-capped device (herein referred to as a traffic surface adapter) that is arranged to be positioned in a localised area of a (pedestrian or vehicular) traffic surface for the purpose of adapting (i.e., modifying) the characteristics of the surface.

The traffic surface adapter may be employed in various applications, usually in an array; for example to provide a non-skid surface, to provide a condition-changing indication, or to act as a direction indicator or lane or boundary indicator. In one of its applications the traffic surface adapter may be provided in the form of a tactile marker of a type that is positioned on a walkway surface for the assistance of pedestrians generally and, more specifically, for the assistance of persons with impaired vision. Such markers typically are arrayed in a grid pattern to mark some sort of transition, for example at the foot or head of a stairway, at the loading area of an escalator and along the edge of a railway platform.

The traffic surface adapter is hereinafter described largely in the context of its application as a tactile marker. However, it is to be understood that this comprises but one application of the surface adapter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There basically are three different types of tactile marker. One is in the form of a tile-like pad that is moulded from a durable plastics material and which incorporates an array of integrally moulded individual markers. The pad is in use positioned within a recess in a walkway surface. The second comprises an individual marker that has a stem portion that is forced into one of a grid of drilled holes in a walkway and an integrally moulded enlarged head portion that sits on the walkway surface. The third type is similar to the second, except that a plurality of aligned markers is moulded integrally with a common depending strip, and the strip is forced into one of a number of parallel channels that is cut into the walkway.

The first type of marker suffers the disadvantage that a recess must be provided in a new walkway surface or be cut into a pre-existing surface to accommodate the pad. Also, the pad presents less attractively than a grid of individual markers.

The present invention in its application as a tactile marker is directed to a tactile marker of the second and/or third type but more specifically to one that presents with the appearance of a metal marker.

Metal tactile markers sometimes are used to meet aesthetic, architectural or wear requirements, and two types of metal markers are known to have been used. The first is machined from solid metal and the second comprises a hybrid unit in which a pressed metal cap is secured by way of a metal stem-like pin to a plastics material support. The support itself has a stem and the stem is in use forced into a hole in a walkway surface when the marker is placed as one of an array of the markers. The second (hybrid) type of metal tactile marker avoids the inherently high cost of the all-metal marker but it has been found that the pressed metal cap breaks away from its pin when subjected to regular pedestrian traffic, leaving exposed the underlying plastics material support.

The present invention seeks to provide a hybrid type of traffic surface adapter, in which a metal cap is secured to a plastics material support in a secure manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly defined, the present invention provides a metal-capped device that is arranged (in use) to be positioned on a traffic surface. The device comprises:

a) a plastics material first portion having a head that is arranged in use to sit on the traffic surface, a depending projection that is formed integrally with the head and is arranged in use to locate within a recess in the traffic surface and so retain the device in situ, and at least two spaced-apart apertures formed in the head, and

b) a metal cap that is shaped and sized to overfit the head, the metal cap having depending tabs that are shaped and positioned to project through the apertures in the head and to be folded under the head to hold the metal cap captive

OPTIONAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

The metal cap optionally is formed from pressed metal, for example from pressed stainless steel or brass. Also, the metal cap optionally is formed over at least a part of its surface area with a plurality of protuberances. Furthermore, in the latter case, the apex of each of the protuberances may be apertured.

In order to create the impression of an all-metal device, a pressed metal ring may be provided to overfit a peripheral portion of the head of the first portion of the device and be held in place by the metal cap. The ring would normally be formed from the same metal as the metal cap, but the ring might for aesthetic or other decorative purposes be formed from any metal that is the same as or different from that from which the cap is formed.

The depending projection may optionally be in the form of a stem that is arranged to locate within a recess in the form of a drilled hole or, alternatively, be in the form of a cruciform-shaped projection that is arranged to locate within a similarly-shaped sawn recess. As a further alternative, the depending projection may be in the form of a strip that is arranged to locate within a sawn slit or groove in the traffic surface. In this embodiment of the invention a plurality of the heads may be located at spaced intervals along the length of the strip.

The head and, hence, the metal cap may optionally be circular, or have an elongate form. In the latter case the (optional) ring also would have an elongate form.

The devise may incorporate a bush or cleat that is arranged to locate within the recess into which the depending projection is in use positioned, to assist in retaining the depending projection. Alternatively, an adhesive may, if required, be employed to assist in retaining the depending projection. In the embodiment of the invention in which the depending projection comprises a stem, the device may incorporate a second portion in the form of a bush that has an outside diameter that is sized to be a press fit into a hole that, in use, is drilled into the traffic surface and an inside dimension that is arranged to receive and effect an interference fit on the stem of the first portion.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following illustrative description of alternative embodiments of the traffic surface adapter device. The description is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first portion of the device when in the form of a tactile marker,

FIG. 2 shows an elevation view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows an underside view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second portion of the tactile marker,

FIG. 5 shows an elevation view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a top-side perspective view of a third portion of the tactile marker,

FIG. 7 shows an underside perspective view of the third portion of the tactile marker,

FIG. 8 shows an elevation view of the third portion of the tactile marker,

FIG. 9 shows sectioned elevation views of an assembly of the first, second and third portions of the tactile marker in the process of insertion into a traffic surface hole,

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a fourth portion of the tactile marker,

FIG. 11 shows a sectioned elevation view of an assembly of the first to fourth portions of the tactile marker,

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention when in the form of a strip of surface adapter devices that are suitable for use, for example, as tactile markers or, in an array, as anti-skid devices,

FIG. 13 shows an end elevation view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention when in the form of a direction indicator,

FIG. 15 shows an end elevation view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 14, and

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention when in the form of a step tread.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first portion 20 of the tactile marker comprises a generally frusto-conical marker head (having a bevelled periphery) 21 and an integrally moulded depending projection in the form of a stem 22 projects downwardly from the underside of the head. As best seen from FIG. 3, the underside of the head 21 is recessed to minimise material bulk, and the stem 22 has a generally square cross-section throughout its length. The stem is also formed with longitudinally extending flutes 23 for minimising material bulk and to accommodate resilient lateral compression of the stem.

A lower region 24 of the stem is provided with a taper to facilitate insertion of the stem 22 into the second portion 25 of the tactile marker, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the head 21 is formed with diametrically spaced slots 26 to accommodate attachment of a third portion 27 of the tactile marker as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8. Two slots 26 are shown in the drawings but more may and normally would be provided.

The second portion 25, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is formed from a durable thermoplastic material such as nylon, as is the first portion 20, and it comprises a bush having a cylindrical body 28 and a flanged upper part 29. The body is dimensioned to be a press-fit in a hole 30 (FIGS. 9) which is drilled in a traffic (e.g., a walkway) surface 31 to receive the tactile marker, and the flange 29 is provided to limit the extent of movement of the bush into the hole 30.

The external diameter of the cylindrical body 28 is formed over approximately 50% of its length with circumferential grooves 32 which, as viewed in section, have a saw-tooth profile. The grooved portion, being at the lower end of the bush, provides for enhanced gripping engagement of the bush in the hole 30 when the bush is expanded following insertion of the stem 22 into the bush. Longitudinally extending slits 33 also are provided in the bush to facilitate expansion of the lower end of the bush with insertion of the stem 22.

The bush 25 has a central square-section bore 34 and, as best seen from FIG. 7, the bore 34 has a slightly enlarged opening through the flanged upper portion 29 of the bush. The major part of the length of the bore 34 is shaped and dimensioned to be a press-fit on the stem 22 and a lower end portion 35 of the bore is tapered inwardly to complement the taper at the lower end 24 of the stem 22.

The third portion 27 of the tactile marker comprises a pressed metal cap having a disc-shaped upper portion 36 and integrally formed diametrically spaced depending tabs 37. Two tabs are shown but the number provided will match the number of slots 26 that are provided in the head portion As seen from below (FIG. 7), the upper portion 36 of the metal cap is formed with a central dimple 38 and two concentric rings of further such dimples, which all transfer as protuberances 39 on the outside of the upper portion 36. Holes 40 are shown to be located at the apexes of all of the protuberances 39. The holes 40 may be formed by piercing the upper portion of the cap before forming the dimples 38 or, alternatively, the holes may be formed pursuant to formation of the dimples. However, it will be understood that the holes 40 and, indeed, the protuberances need not necessarily be provided in all embodiments of the invention.

The third portion 27 might be formed from any metal, to meet particular aesthetic or architectural requirements, but normally would be stamped and pressed from stainless steel or brass.

Prior to on-site installation of the tactile markers, the metal third portion 27 is over-fitted to the first portion 20, with the tabs 37 projected through the slots 26. The tabs are then bent inwardly against the underside of the head 21 to hold the third portion 27 captive to the first portion 20.

When installing the tactile marker, the holes 30 are drilled in the walkway in a required grid pattern. One of the bushes 25 is then pressed into respective ones of the holes 30, and the assembly of the first and third portions 20 and 27 of the marker is then pressed into the bore 34 of the bush 25, initially to the position shown in FIG. 9. Thereafter the assembly 20/27 is forced downwardly to drive the full cross-section of the stem 22 into the tapered region of the bush and to cause the body 28 of the bush to expand outwardly to engage positively with the hole 30. Thus, the bush 15 is held captive in the hole 30 and the stem 21 is held captive in the bush.

In the embodiment of the invention described to this point with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, the tactile member when positioned on a traffic surface is seen as having a peripheral bevelled ring of plastic material surrounding the metal cap 27. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a fourth portion 41 (FIG. 10) of the tactile marker is provided to cover the peripheral bevelled ring of plastic material. The fourth portion 41 is formed as a pressed metal ring with a shape that complements the frusto-conical shape of the head 21. It over-fits the head 21 and is held in place by the pressed metal cap 27, and the combination of the cap 27 and the ring 41 provide the impression of an all-metal tactile marker.

The ring 41 would normally be formed from stainless steel but it might for aesthetic or other decorative purposes be formed from any metal that is the same as or different from that from which the cap 27 is formed.

Diametrically spaced slots 42 are formed in a land 43 of the ring 41 to accommodate the tabs 37 of the metal cap 27 during initial assembly of the complete tactile marker, as shown in FIG. 11.

In the further embodiment of the traffic surface adapter device as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, plural head portions 21 a are formed integrally with a depending projection in the form of a longitudinally extending strip 44. The strip projects downwardly from the underside of the head portions 21 a as an alternative to the stem 22, and it is provided for location in a slot which, in mounting the plural head portions 21 a to a traffic surface, is sawn as a groove (not shown) into the traffic surface.

Although three only head portions 21 a are shown in FIG. 12 as being integrated with the longitudinally extending strip 44, a very much larger number of the head portions may, and normally would, be provided. Each of the head portions 21 a is formed in substantially the same way as the head portion 21 shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, and each of the head portions 21 a is fitted with a metal cap 27 of the same type and in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. Thus, each metal cap 27 is held captive to its head portion 21 a by projecting tabs 37 through slots 26.

A ring 41 as shown in FIG. 10 may also be mounted to the head portions 21 a in the manner shown in FIG. 11.

In the further embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, a single elongate head portion 21 b is formed integrally with a depending projection in the form of a strip 44 b, although the strip 44 b might be replaced by a plurality of stems 22 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 11. The elongate head portion 21 b is formed in a manner similar to the circular head portions 21 and 21 a of FIGS. 1 to 13, having a generally frusto-conical configuration in cross-section, and it is provided with longitudinally spaced slots 26 in similar manner to the circular head portions. An elongate metal cap 27 b is fitted to the head portion 21 b by way of tabs 37 that are projected through the slots 26 and, as shown, the metal cap in this case is formed with non-apertured protuberances 39 that are disposed so as to provide for direction indication.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the traffic surface adapter that is in the form of a step tread. In this case the first portion 21 c of the device is formed as an L-shape with limbs 45 and 46 that are disposed to engage with the tread and riser of a step. A depending projection (not shown) in the form of stems 22 or a strip 44 projects downwardly from the limb 45 and engages in holes or a sawn groove in the step tread. As in the previous embodiments, a metal cap 27 c is provided, in this case in the form of an elongate strip, and is secured to the limb 45 by projecting tabs 37 into slots 26. The metal cap 27 c is formed with protuberances 39 which desirably are apertured (as at 40) to provide enhanced non-slip characteristics.

Variations and modifications may be made in respect of the embodiments as above described without departing from the scope of the following claims. 

1. A metal-capped device arranged for positioning on a traffic surface and comprising: a) a plastics material first portion having a head that is arranged in use to sit on the traffic surface, a depending projection that is arranged in use to locate within a recess in the traffic surface and so retain the device in situ, and at least two spaced-apart apertures formed in the head, and b) a metal cap that is shaped and sized to overfit the head, the metal cap having depending tabs that are shaped and positioned to project through the apertures in the head and to be folded under the head to hold the metal cap captive.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the metal cap is formed from pressed metal.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the metal cap is formed over at least a part of its surface area with a plurality of protuberances.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein an apex of each of the protuberances is apertured.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pressed metal ring is provided to overfit a peripheral portion of the head of the first portion of the device.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the ring is held in place by the metal cap.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ring is formed from the same metal as the metal cap.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the ring is formed from a metal that is different from that from which the cap is formed.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1 any one wherein the depending projection comprises a stem that is formed integrally with the head of the first portion of the device and which is arranged to locate within a drilled hole.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the depending projection comprises a cruciform-shaped projection that is formed integrally with the head of the first portion of the device and which is arranged to locate within a similarly-shaped sawn recess.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the depending projection comprises a strip that is formed integrally with the head portion of the device and which is arranged to locate within a sawn groove in the traffic surface.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein a plurality of the heads is located at spaced intervals along the length of the strip.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the head and the metal cap are circular.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of the heads and associated metal caps are circular.
 15. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the head and the metal cap have an elongate form.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the ring has an elongate form.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a retaining device is provided to locate within the recess into which the depending projection is in use positioned, to assist in retaining the depending projection.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein a second portion is provided to assist in retaining the depending projection, the second portion comprising a bush that has an outside diameter that is sized to be a press fit into a hole that, in use, is drilled into the traffic surface and an inside dimension that is arranged to receive and effect an interference fit on the stem of the first portion. 